FINALLY, the weather allowed for a decent weekend of football in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League and there were some cracking games in the cup, as well as across both league divisions.

Starting with two fixtures in the McDonalds League Cup, there was a thrilling win for Alphington and an excellent performance on the road from St Martins. The Alphas faced a tough challenge at home to Exwick Villa in the cup and, with both teams riding high in the North & East Division of the DFL, the game more than lived up to expectations.

Jamie Mudge took the plaudits for Alphington with a fine hat-trick in an entertaining 4-3 success and there was also a tremendous display from home goalkeeper Lee Waring. On target for Villa were Sam Johnson, Jesse Howe and Nathan May.

St Martins travelled to Heavitree United in another cup game between two sides sat next to each other in the N&E league table and the visitors prevailed on the day, running out deserved 3-1 winners.

In the N&E league action, Clyst Valley came so very close to getting off the mark at the foot of the table, eventually going down to a 3-2 defeat at Chudleigh Athletic but a performance that will give Clyst some added belief for the winter period.

The other two games in this division ended with 5-1 score-lines. A Kyle Bassett double and goals from Scott Chambers, Dale O’Donoghue and Cory O’Donoghue secured a comfortable success for leaders Newtown at Witheridge, while Budleigh Salterton were equally ruthless in their defeat of Liverton United.

In the South & West Division, Buckland Athletic Reserves kept up the pressure on leaders Kingsteignton by securing an emphatic 5-0 win at Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves, with Mitch McCann scoring the pick of the goals for Buckland. Kingsteignton were equally impressive in their display at Roselands, winning 5-1 in Paignton.

Third-placed Watcombe Wanderers remain right in the mix after they secured a 3-0 win from a tough trip to Plymstock United, thanks to goals from Zack Chalmers-Wood, Charlie Cuss and a Ben Clark penalty.

In a tight battle between two sides in the chasing pack, a solitary goal from Daniel Block was enough to give Totnes & Dartington a 1-0 win over Paignton Saints. The final game was a 1-1 draw for Lakeside at the Plymouth Argyle Development side. Ashley White scored for the visitors before Josh Johnson levelled for Argyle.

IT was another weekend of football largely ruined by the weather in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League but the games that did go ahead produced some tremendous entertainment and confident victories for two Paignton clubs.

There was one game played in the McDonalds League Cup and a fine display from Paignton Villa, as they defeated Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves 4-1 at the impressive South Devon College Sports facility. Chris Srdinko scored twice for Villa and there were also goals from Liam McAuley and captain Tom Parvin.

In the solitary game played in the North & East Division, Heavitree came from behind at Budleigh Salterton to record an excellent 3-1 victory. Darren Everest scored from an early penalty and Budleigh deservedly held their advantage until the half-time interval.

Gradually, the visitors from Heavitree began to exert their attacking strength on the game and finally drew level on 65 minutes with a calm finish from Jake Ranger. Budleigh responded by creating two chances of their own but were denied by the visiting custodian.

Heavitree grabbed the decisive third goal with just seven minutes remaining, when Harry Slack converted a left-wing cross. Budleigh had no choice but to throw everything at their visitors but were hit on the counter by a goal from substitute Jay Boyle.

In the two fixtures played in the South & West Division, there was a derby victory for Paignton Saints and an entertaining draw at Lakeside Athletic. The Saints ran out 4-1 winners at home to local rivals Roselands, thanks to a brace from Jamie Hodges and further goals by Sam Winstanley and Josh Pagett.

Lakeside pulled off a terrific fightback to draw 2-2 at home to Totnes & Dartington, recovering from a 2-0 deficit at the break to earn a point with goals from Owen Pritchard and Tyler Wotton. Lakeside are back in action on Wednesday night in the one DFL midweek fixture, when they travel to Tavistock Reserves.

ONLY three games survived the horrendous weather last weekend in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League.

The solitary fixture in the South & West division was played on the 3G facility at Roselands, with the home side running out 3-1 winners over the Plymouth Argyle Development squad.

Roselands surged in front with a stunning overhead kick from Tommy Dunlop. Theo Ramsey equalised for the Pilgrims but there were further goals from Jacob Osborne and Alex Kassis to keep all three points in South Devon.

There was a surprise result at the top of the North & East Division, as Teignmouth showed why they are one of the most dangerous customers in this league, recording a 1-0 triumph at title-chasing Exwick Villa. Scott Chapman scored the only goal for the Teigns.

The final game was a tremendous result for Budleigh Salterton, as they battled out an entertaining 3-2 victory at Braunton. Tom Marsh and Russell Harrison twice put Braunton in front but Budleigh fought back on both occasions to secure an impressive three points.

TWO goals from Scott Chambers and a Darren Osmond strike were the difference for Newtown in winning the top of the table clash at home to Alphington in the North & East Division of the Scott Richards Solicitors DFL on Saturday.

A good day for Newtown also opened the door for Exwick Villa to make their move in the title race, winning 5-1 at Topsham Town with braces from Nathan May and Sam Johnson. Ash Hudd scored the other goal for Villa, while Greg MacMartin was on target for Topsham.

The University of Exeter are another side in the mix and arguably produced their best display of the season in defeating Braunton 6-2. St Martins also scored six, but without reply, in a Team of the Week display at Exmouth Town Reserves.

Olly Cheek scored the only goal as Witheridge defeated Clyst Valley in a clash between two sides at the wrong end of the table and the final game in N&E ended in a 2-1 win for Budleigh Salterton at home to Bovey Tracey Reserves.

Kingsteignton Athletic stay top of the South & West Division after an enthralling 4-3 victory over Plympton Athletic. The Rams were seemingly cruising at 4-1 but had to withstand a brave Plympton fightback before securing maximum points.

Simon Revell, Corey Price, Alfie Edwards and Sam Dicken were the scorers for Buckland Athletic Reserves in a local derby win over Newton Abbot Reserves, while another neighbourly encounter saw Waldon Athletic defeat Roselands 2-0.

Watcombe Wanderers continued their fine form with a 5-1 success at lowly Paignton Villa and the final game resulted in a 3-1 win for Plymstock United at the Plymouth Argyle Development side.

There will be a Club’s Meeting held at the Corner Flag Bar, Coach Road on Tuesday 19^thNovember – KO 7 p.m.

Bucks Chasing Kings

BUCKLAND Athletic Reserves maintained their pressure on leaders Kingsteignton Athletic in the South & West Division of the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League after an impressive 8-1 victory at home to a dangerous Paignton Saints outfit on the weekend.

The Kings recovered well from their first defeat of the campaign at Plymstock to overpower Roselands in a 7-0 triumph but results were a lot tighter across the rest of the division.

Plymouth Argyle’s Community Development side enjoyed their best day yet at this level, defeating high-flying Watcombe Wanderers with goals from Josh Johnson and a thunderbolt free-kick by Dylan Peters.

Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves also won 2-1 at Bere Alston and there was a confident 3-1 success for Plympton Athletic at Lakeside thanks to goals from Chris Harvey, Sam Brute and James Yates. The final game in S&W ended in a 4-2 win for Totnes & Dartington at home to Ottery St Mary, with Dan Block scoring a hat-trick for the Tots.

In the North & East Division, Newtown moved top of the table with a solid 4-1 victory at home to Chudleigh Athletic, with the goals scored by Cory O’Donoghue, Jack Gill, Ben Howard and Kyle Bassett.

Exwick Villa made a big statement in a clash between two top-four clubs, winning 5-0 at the University of Exeter. Jesse Howe scored twice for Villa and there were further goals from Ashley Brittain, Harry Walford and Mitch Ward.

There was an incredible game at Bovey Tracey Reserves, where Witheridge recorded their first win of the season with an enthralling 7-4 victory. Withy raced into a 3-0 lead and then were 5-1 up before Bovey brought it back to 5-4, and this was all inside 48 minutes. The visitors regathered their composure to eventually run out 7-4 winners.

Dan Savage scored a brace as Heavitree recorded a comfortable 6-0 win at Liverton and Budleigh Salterton were too strong for Clyst Valley in their 5-1 triumph, but the final two games were a lot closer.

Exmouth Town Reserves scored the only goal in a tight game at home to Braunton and St Martins performed superbly to win 2-0 at in-form Teignmouth, with Ben Watson and Lee Radford on target for the Saints.

Chasing Pack

PLYMSTOCK United have offered a ray of hope to the chasing pack in the South & West Division of the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League by inflicting a first defeat on league leaders Kingsteignton Athletic.

It was an ideal start for Plymstock against the visiting Rams, as Jack Lethbridge rifled home a cracking finish on nine minutes and they held that slender advantage until a 2-0 victory was sealed by a late strike from the in-form Fraser Bricknell.

Second-placed Watcombe Wanderers took their chance to close the gap with a 2-0 win at home to Bere Alston, thanks to goals from Charlie Cuss and Alex Constantinou. Waldon were unable to repeat that trick, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Plymouth Argyle Development side. Waldon actually led 2-0 but were pegged back by a Theo Ramsey brace, including a stoppage-time leveller.

Bottom club Paignton Villa went down 2-0 at Plympton Athletic, with Chris Harvey and Scott Rennie scoring the goals, while Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves overpowered Ottery St Mary 5-1 in a clash between two struggling sides.

There was an enthralling local derby at Roselands, where the home side were beaten 5-3 by Paignton Saints. Jamie Micklewright scored again for the Saints, taking his club tally to an impressive 100 goals.

It was an emotional day for Totnes & Dartington, as they paid tribute to manager Mark Rogers, who tragically passed away earlier this month. The players delivered a brilliant performance for the gaffer, beating Lakeside Athletic 5-0 with some tremendous football on display.

In the North & East Division, leaders Alphington Town delivered a brutal display of finishing, as they dismantled Liverton United with an 11-0 win. Ryan Moody grabbed the scoring headlines, bagging five for the rampant Alphas.

St Martins were another side in ruthless mood, as they defeated Topsham Town 10-0, with Lee Radford scoring a hat-trick for the Saints. It was a far tougher assignment for second-placed Newtown, as they eventually ran out 2-1 winners at Braunton with goals from Kyle Bassett and a Jack Gill penalty.

Back to the theme of dominant victories and the University of Exeter are a side in form, as they won 6-0 at lowly Clyst Valley, with Josh Valentin another in the weekend hat-trick club. Exwick Villa triumphed 2-0 at home to Witheridge with goals from Nathan May and Ashley Brittain.

Chudleigh and Teignmouth shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw and there was a narrow 3-2 win for Heavitree at home to Budlegih Salterton to round off another intriguing weekend of action in the Devon Football League.

The final game of the weekend was another cracker and completed the first round of the McDonalds League Cup. Tavistock Reserves were seemingly cruising at 4-1 up against Exmouth Town Reserves but the visitors produced an extraordinary fightback to eventually progress with a 5-4 win.

FOLLOWING the devastating news of the passing of Totnes & Dartington manager Mark Rogers at such a young age, football results took a back seat this weekend for all involved in Devon Football.

The Tots paid tribute to Mark on the weekend, as they heralded a fantastic club stalwart, who was a tremendous footballer, coach and person on the local scene for many years. All of us at the Devon Football League send our thoughts to everyone at Totnes & Dartington Football Club.

Most of all, we send our love and deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends at this very sad time. Rest in Peace Buck.

On the pitches of Devon this weekend, it was all about the First Round of the McDonalds League Cup and, keeping up the early-season trend in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League, the goals were flying in all over the place.

In a tussle between two sides riding high in their respective divisions, it was Exwick Villa from North & East who prevailed in a 6-2 win at ten-man Waldon Athletic from South & West. Sam Johnson bagged a hat-trick for Villa and there were also goals from Ashley Brittain, Jesse Howe and Ash Hudd.

N&E leaders Newtown were beaten 4-3 at home to Buckland Athletic Reserves in a superb game of football, while winless Clyst Valley were unable to break their duck at Heavitree United, going down 5-1 in a game where Sam Kemp scored as hat-trick for the hosts.

A new management team took charge for Newton Abbot Spurs in their 4-0 triumph at home to Ottery St Mary and Alphington had to work very at Bere Alston before squeezing to a 2-1 victory with a man of the match performance from Luke White.

Kingsteignton Athletic have been imperious in their 100% start to the league season but were made to work extremely hard before overcoming Roselands 2-1. It was an equally slender margin of victory for Topsham Town, defeating Plymouth Argyle’s Community Development side 1-0.

Budleigh Salterton needed a penalty shoot-out before finally getting past Chudleigh Athletic after a 2-2 draw in normal time. The University of Exeter also triumphed in the spot-kick lottery after being held to an entertaining 3-3 draw against Paignton Saints.

Witheridge are yet to win in the league this season but the cup clearly suits them, as Liverton United were crushed 10-2 in a superb display from Withy, while St Martins were almost as impressive in their 4-0 win at home to Watcombe Wanderers.

Paignton Villa are another side who have struggled to find form in their league campaign but were simply unplayable in the cup, demolishing Lakeside Athletic 8-0 with hat-tricks from Chris Srdinko and Tom Parvin.

The final game of the day yielded yet another treble on a day of hat-tricks, as Fraser Bricknell brilliantly helped Plymstock United fight back at home to Braunton and eventually triumph 4-3 after extra-time.

The McDonalds League Cup game this weekend between Totnes & Dartington and Plympton Athletic has been postponed due to a club bereavement.

As a mark of respect, the game will be rescheduled for a later date and all our thoughts are with everyone connected to Totnes & Dartington.